Andrade El Idolo’s return exposes AEW’s roster imbalance

The Prodigal Son Returns

Andrade El Idolo is back in All Elite Wrestling. The move, coming after an absence of over two years, raises more questions than it answers about Tony Khan’s booking strategy for 2026.

We have seen this pattern before. A highly talented, technically gifted worker leaves, rebuilds their value, and returns to much fanfare. But where does Andrade fit in a landscape that is already bursting at the seams?

A Tactical Nightmare

Look at the current men's singles division. You have the established main eventers holding the top spots. You have a midcard that is essentially a holding pattern for guys who should be doing more. Andrade’s in-ring work is undeniable. His pacing, his ability to seamlessly transition from technical grappling to explosive Lucha Libre offense—it’s elite.

But AEW doesn't have a match quality problem. They have a structuring problem. Adding Andrade back into the mix without a clear, defined upward trajectory is just adding another Ferrari to a garage that is already full of sports cars nobody is driving.

The Collision Conundrum

If Andrade is going to succeed in his second run, he needs a dedicated platform. Saturday night's Collision was originally designed for wrestlers like him—performers who thrive in longer, logically structured bouts rather than the frantic sprint of Dynamite.

The issue is that Collision has lost that identity. To make Andrade’s return matter, AEW needs to rebuild that Saturday night framework. Give him 15 minutes to dissect opponents. Let him show the tactical brilliance that made him a star in the first place. Otherwise, this re-signing is just another expensive name on a crowded spreadsheet.